Indicators of rejection in groups of children

The issue of rejection is motivating countless researchers due to the close relationship between peer rejection and difficulties in future adjustment. The study of this issue can contribute towards the detection of factors that trigger rejection, consequently making possible preventive interventions. This text is intended to provide a summary of the research undertaken by the author as part of her Master's Degree, the aim of which was to detect indicators of rejection in the final year of a private primary school in Curitiba (n=52). In this study, “indicators of rejection” are understood to be criteria that lead children to exclude each other from their recreation and working activities, within the context of the school. The study used one instrument designed to collect data from the children (“voting for the least popular” and “tag”) and another aimed at obtaining data from the teachers (“teacher's card”). The analysis and cross-referencing of the data obtained indicated that children tend to reject their peers based on their inadequate behaviour (bossiness, disruptive behaviour), and this perception was reinforced by the data obtained from the teachers. On the other hand, children tend to chose other children who frequently demonstrate sociable behaviour to be their peers. Keywords: Rejection, rejected children, peer rejection, recognition of rejection.